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Namibia: Bots-Nam Business Forum On
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The Namibian (Windhoek)
19 March 2008
Posted to the web 19 March 2008
Tonderai Katswara
Windhoek
THE Botswana-Namibia business forum officially kicked off in Windhoek yesterday with presentations from the visiting Botswana business delegation and the Namibia Investment Centre.
The four-day indaba was organised by the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) in conjunction with the Botswana Export Development & Investment Authority (BEDIA) under the theme 'Connecting Business to Boost Regional Integration'.
It is aimed at boosting trade between the neighbouring countries.
The latest figures - from 2006 - reveal that trade exports from Namibia to Botswana amounted to N$103 million, while imports from Botswana were a mere N$46 million.
BEDIA has brought 10 businesspeople who represent different sectors which include food products, machinery and textiles.
BEDIA Export Promotion Manager, Brian Mosenene told guests at yesterday's opening that Botswana was open for business and ready to see trade volumes between the two countries increased.
He said Botswana was currently focusing on diversification of its economy, which is heavily reliant on diamond mining.
"We are inviting Namibian businesspeople to engage in the value addition in a number of areas which include of beef by products, clay, glass and leather," he said.
Mosenene said Botswana was also seeking partnerships in the financial services and in major development projects currently off the ground like the US$1 billion Botswana-Namibia railway link.
Local businesses were invited to the Global Expo Botswana - an annual business fair set in October whose objective is to create business linkages between Botswana businesspeople and their regional and international counterparts.
Landlocked Botswana is rated as one of Africa's most stable and prosperous countries, with a growing economy.
GDP growth for 2006/07 was at 6,2 per cent while GDP per capita stands at US$5 300.
NCCI CEO Tarah Shaanika commended the initiative to bring the two countries' private sectors together, and called for increased trade.
He said although SADC had created a conducive environment for trade, more still needed to be done.
"As we deepen regional integration let's remove barriers and let's improve trade exports between our two countries," said Shaanika.
Both countries are battling similar challenges ranging from impending power shortages to low entrepreneurial development and economy diversification from mineral-based export revenue.
Upon their arrival on Monday the visiting delegates were treated to exhibitions and business meetings rounded off by a cocktail dinner hosted by the High Commissioner of Botswana to Namibia, Norman Moleboge.
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The delegation will leave on Thursday after four days of deliberations with their counterparts from the private sector.
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